Biography: b.1904 Seikkhun, Myanmar (Burma). Started training age
6, novice age 12, full ordination 19 under Sumedha Sayadaw Ashin Nimmala.
By age 22 had passed 3 grades of Pali examinations, studying under a number
of important monks. Was invited to Taungwainggale monastery to help teach
and during this time, became deeply involved in the study of the Mahasatipatthana
sutta and Vipassana meditation. In 1938 went to well-known Vipassana teacher
Mingun Jetavan Sayadaw to study and showed remarkable progress, also passing
his Dharmachariya (teacher of the Dharma) examination in 1941. After this,
returned to Mahasi monastery in his home village of Seikkhun and gradually
became known as Mahasi Sayadaw (the Venerable from Mahasi).

Mahasi
Sayadaw's reputation soon spread. In 1948 he was invited to Rangoon to
be the spiritual patron of the Buddhasasana Nuggaha Association and
the abbott and teacher of the association's head temple, the Sasana
Yeiktha. Both of these had recently been created especially for him.
His meditation techniques and courses rapidly became popular and his reputation
spread through Asia. In 1954/1955 the Burmese Government invited the Theravada
community of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Sri Lanka to the Sixth
Buddhist Council in Rangoon, and Ven. Mahasi played a major role in events.
His prowess and fame as a translator was also growing and he published
a number of excellent scholarly retranslation of scriptures.

By this
time, Mahasi Vipassana groups had started in several neighboring countries.
In 1952 Ven. Mahasi toured Thailand, Sri lanka in 1955 and 1959, Indonesia
in 1955 (?), India/Nepal in 1979,80,81. A number of Western students (such
as Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg) who had attended courses at the
Sasana wrote books (see below) about their experiences, and this resulted
in tours to England, Europe and America in 1979 and 1980. These were exhausting
tours of several months, yet the Mahasi, at the age of over 75, continued
to demonstrate his commitment and energy. Each tour resulted in the establishment
of many new centres and affiliated temples.

Ven. Mahasi
passed away on the 14th of August 1982 shortly after returning from another
tour of India and Thailand. He is succeeded by many dedicated students,
and from 1984-1996 the Sasana organisation undertook twenty-two teaching
missions to the West. Among the most important teachers are: Sayadaw U
Pandita, Sayadaw U Lakkhana, Sayadaw U Janaka and Sayadaw U Silananda.
Other students in this lineage include BuddhaNet's founder Ven. Pannavaro:
[Lineage]: (Mahasi Sayadaw  U Janaka 
Ven. Pannavaro)

Comment:
The tradition started by Ven Mahasi Sayadaw is one of the most active
of all recent Theravada revivals and is of great importance in Burma and
the East, as well as the West. Probably several million people have been
to centres or courses. The organisation has a loose structure with the
unification being in the teachings and lineage rather than in administration
or a large centralised organisation.

b.1921, commenced
study age 7, novice age 12, fully ordained age 20. Studied under many
eminent dharma teachers and passed Pali and Dhamma examinations culminating
in the Dhammachariya (Dhamma teacher) degree in 1952.

First practised Vipassana
1950 under Mahasi Sayadaw and played important role in 6th Sangha Council.
In 1959 accompanied Mahasi to Sri lanka and spent 3 yrs there opening
new centres. On return to Burma became chief meditation teacher to three
temples.

Upon death of Mahasi
in 1982, was elected principal preceptor of Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Organization. Headed main Mahasi temple them moved
to his own meditation centre. Has made many visits to the West and is
head of many temples and centres here.

b.1928, novice age
15, fully ordained age 19, this gifted scholar became a lecturer in Buddhist
scriptures at Mandalay Mahavisuddhayone University before (1954/5) becoming
an editor and reciter of Pali texts for the sixth council. Studied Vipassana
under Mahasi Sayadaw 1953/4.

1957 commenced six
years in Sri lanka where he continued his Pali and scriptural studies
and passed the London GCE A levels. !967 returned to Burma as meditation
teacher at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha.

In 1979 took up residence
at Chanmyay Meditation Centre, constructed for him by devotees, and is
often known as Chanmyay Saydaw. 1979/80 accompanied mahasi on missions
to the West and has since then made over twenty missions.

Books/ Publications (Bold indicates a recommended text in
that tradition)

1) By Mahasi Sayadaw
(Mahasi is credited with over 65 books in Burmese. A number of free publications
are also available via the Mahasi centres)
Practical Insight Meditation: Basic and Progressive Stages by Mahasi Sayadaw
(Paperback)
Satipatthana Vipassana: Insight through Mindfulness by Mahasi Sayadaw
(Paperback)
The Progress of Insight: A Treatise on Satipatthana Meditation by Mahasi
Sayadaw (Paperback)

2) By western students
referring to their experiences at Mahasi temples:
E.H. Shattock: An Experiment in Mindfulness (out of print)
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation by Joseph
Goldstein, et al
The Experience of Insight: A Simple and Direct Guide to Buddhist Meditation
by Joseph Goldstein (Paperback - June 1987)
Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom (Shambhala Dragon Editions)
by Joseph Goldstein (Paperback - October 1994)

The Heart of Buddhist Meditation: Satipatthna: A Handbook of Mental Training
Based on the Buddha's Way of Mindfulness, With an Anthology of Relevant
by Nyanaponika, Nyanaponika Thera.

4) Books by students
in the lineage of Mahasi (please note that many free texts are available
from Mahasi tradition centres. Buddhanet also has a very comprehensive
collection of Insight Meditation
Resources online, from meditating with one's children to advanced
exercises).

In This Very Life
: The Liberation Teachings of the Buddha by Sayadaw U. Pandita, Kate
Wheeler (Editor), Venerable U. Aggacitta.